Options so far are concrete block or wood frame (the traditional choices) or SIPS.

The properties are not within an LLC because they are traditionally financed.  

Even if you are able to obtain traditional financing, be careful speculating a 20k profit in 1 year.  

My wife has perfect credit, but an insignificant income, as she only works 4 to 5 months out of the year as an Air Force Traditional Reservist.  

Its a little harder than the traditional way but nobody cares what you income is in the investing world. 

Unfortunately I am unable to qualify for traditional financing until I have 2 years tax returns in the same industry (January 2016). 

In my opinion, a traditional deal set up like this is a formula to fail.  

Since this deal took no skin off my back, my plan for the next year is to grab another 4-12 unit with either seller or traditional financing next Jan/Feb, then when I'm eligible to use my VA loan again in May '16, I'll refi (or not) and use my remaining ~$160k or so in eligibility to purchase another 2-4 unit to live in for 0 down.

I recently transferred my Traditional IRA to a SD IRA Custodian.  

I'm just passing along information that provides an overall perspective on parts of town that, regardless of your first-hand experiences, are traditionally not very good parts of town.